Monthly Archives: June 2010

Renovators Dream

Posted on June 30, 2010 by admin

Handy to Post Office, Shops and Schools. Not.

Comes with small restoration project for the spare time.

All offers considered.

Posted in Oodnadatta Track, Outback South Australia | Leave a comment

Fish Tales

Posted on June 29, 2010 by admin

The Warburton River just before it enters Lake Eyre which I am using to illustrate a recent question that came via email about what sort of fish are in Lake Eyre?

The Warburton is fresh water flowing into Lake Eyre which is very salty. So Salty that freshwater fish can’t live in it for very long.

The fish in the Warburton, if they continue downstream will be short-lived.

However the Coongie Lakes is teeming with Callope also known as Yellowbelly or Golden Perch which is what attracts the masses of birdlife to the Lakes.

A couple of links with more information on these fish: FishSA or Golden Perch

Posted in Coongie Lakes, Lake Eyre | 2 Comments

The Desert Snake

Posted on June 28, 2010 by admin

A rare sight indeed.

In fact something that may not be repeated for another 20 years or so.

The headwaters of the Cooper Creek heading for Lake Eyre in central Australia.

Apart from it’s historical significance, an almost surreal situation as the waters steadily and silently roll on through the desert sands.

It’s tipped these fresh waters, which have travelled more than a thousand kilometres from Outback Queensland, will reach Lake Eyre any day now.

Posted in Outback South Australia, Strzelecki Desert | 4 Comments

Birds of a Feather…….

Posted on June 27, 2010 by admin

Climbing the social ladder…..in the world of little Corellas.

Referring back to a previous post might help to explain this photograph taken near Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges.

Canon EOS 20D. Lens f3.5-5.6 28-300mm L IS USM. f7.1 @ 1/400th sec ISO 100

Posted in Fauna, Gallery Photo | 1 Comment

Bridge Over Blue Waters

Posted on June 25, 2010 by admin

There are dozens of bridges along the route of the Old Ghan Railway line that runs parallel to the Oodnadatta Track.

However this one stood out – possibly because of the substantial amount of water in the creek..

Nevertheless quite a sight in the early morning sun.

From the ground several days later it was no less picturesque.

The bridge crosses the Warrener’s Creek and by today’s standards it looks almost flimsy for a railway bridge.

A bit more information about the Ghan, both old and new can be found here

It’s amazing how a little water transforms this desert country too.

Posted in Oodnadatta Track | Leave a comment

Take an Historic Punt

Posted on June 24, 2010 by admin

The famous and one time feared Birdsville Track finally cut after twenty long and dry years.

The waters of the Cooper Creek on its long journey from Queensland to Lake Eyre now flow across it..

The old punt that was last in service two decades ago has been re-commissioned for the occasion.

It’s about 160 kilometres up the track from the Maree.

Expect a wait which will depend on how many vehicles are in line to cross. The punt takes only one vehicle at a time.

Taking a ride on the punt could though be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Posted in Birdsville Track | Leave a comment

Land of a Thousand Lakes

Posted on June 23, 2010 by admin

And this is just one of them. The Coongie Lakes – such a contrast from Lake Eyre. Chalk and cheese – Salt Water and Fresh Water.

Unfortunately the Innamincka-Coongie Lakes National Park has been closed until November which is going to hamper many people from seeing this wonderful place at its spectacular best.

However there are some things in the region that are accessible.

It’s best to go to the National Parks site Click Here for the most up-to-date information.

Still the best way to see this area is to stick here with the Sentimental Bloke who will be posting lots more photographs of the Coongie in the weeks to come.

Also try contacting my friends at Wrights Air who I am hoping will have an aircraft based at Innamincka soon.

Posted in Coongie Lakes | 1 Comment

Mix ‘N Match

Posted on June 22, 2010 by admin

An extraordinary sight where the muddy waters of the Warburton Creek mix with the Macumba River and Lake Eyre.

This is the Tirari Desert about 280 kilometres south-west of Birdsville.

Posted in Lake Eyre | Leave a comment

On The Road

Posted on June 17, 2010 by admin

Or soon to be flying in this aircraft once again.

It’s an Australian made GA8 Airvan utility transport aircraft operated by Wrights Air

It’s just the perfect vehicle for photographing the Coongie Lakes and Lake Eyre because I can shoot without having to go through a window.


Pictures from the Sentimental Bloke are going to be a bit thin on the ground for the next 4 days but it means some updated material over the next few weeks.

To be notified by email when the next photos appear, just fill in your email address in the box at the top on the right hand side.

It all happens automatically but your address is still private. The other way is to subscribe via RSS.

Posted in Coongie Lakes, Lake Eyre, On the Road | Leave a comment

Faces of the Outback

Posted on June 16, 2010 by admin

Veteran stockman, Ronnie Finn. This year’s Oodnadatta races

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment